Max Verstappen has accused Formula One officials of “killing the sport” after he incurred a penalty for running Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas off the track at the Italian Grand Prix.

A furious Verstappen blew up over the team radio after being informed stewards were slapping him with a five-second penalty for unfair defending following his collision with Bottas at the second chicane which forced the Finn down the escape road.

The decision killed any hopes he had of a podium finish, with Bottas inheriting third place while Verstappen was relegated to fifth.

“I gave him space! They’re doing a great job of killing racing, honestly.”

Verstappen maintained the rage after the race, with the decision affecting the driver’s championship with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel – who was involved in a lap one incident with arch rival Lewis Hamilton – elevated to fourth spot.

The decision also proved costly for the Red Bull team in the championship standings as Verstappen’s teammate Daniel Ricciardo had already been forced to retire with engine problems again.

“I gave him a car width of space on the left of me,” Verstappen told Sky Sports F1 after the race.

“Then he clipped my wheel and he had to go straight. I don’t agree with it.

“But maybe they took the penalty because in the middle of the race, when he first tried to overtake me I went a bit wide, maybe that’s why he gave it to me but even then, it’s not fair because they gave it straight away.

“It’s a shame, but looking at the positives, the car was working really well.”